Prefixes and Suffixes Introduction

Grade 2 · English · Study Guide

Learn how adding letters to the beginning or end of a word can change its meaning.

Sometimes we can make new words by adding letters to the beginning or end of a word. These added letters are called prefixes and suffixes.

A prefix is a group of letters added to the beginning of a word. Prefixes change the meaning of the original word. For example, the prefix un- means "not." If we add un- to the word happy, we get unhappy, which means not happy. The prefix re- means "again." So redo means to do again. The prefix pre- means "before," so preheat means to heat before.

A suffix is a group of letters added to the end of a word. Suffixes also change the meaning of the word. The suffix -ful means "full of." Adding -ful to the word care gives us careful, meaning full of care. The suffix -less means "without." Adding -less to care gives us careless, meaning without care. The suffix -er means a person who does something, like a teacher is someone who teaches.

The original word before a prefix or suffix is added is called the root word or base word. For example, in the word unkind, kind is the root word and un- is the prefix.

Knowing common prefixes and suffixes can help you figure out the meaning of many new words you read.

Key terms

prefix
Letters added to the beginning of a word that change its meaning
suffix
Letters added to the end of a word that change its meaning
root word
The base word before a prefix or suffix is added
un-
A prefix meaning 'not' — example: unhappy means not happy
re-
A prefix meaning 'again' — example: redo means to do again
-ful
A suffix meaning 'full of' — example: careful means full of care

Flashcards

prefix
Letters added to the BEGINNING of a word — changes meaning
suffix
Letters added to the END of a word — changes meaning
root word
The original base word — example: 'kind' in 'unkind'
un-
Prefix meaning NOT — unhappy = not happy, unkind = not kind
re-
Prefix meaning AGAIN — redo = do again, rewrite = write again
-ful
Suffix meaning FULL OF — joyful = full of joy, careful = full of care
-less
Suffix meaning WITHOUT — careless = without care, hopeless = without hope
pre-
Prefix meaning BEFORE — preview = view before, preheat = heat before

Questions

  1. What does the prefix 'un-' mean?

    1. again
    2. not
    3. full of
    4. before
    Show answer

    Answer: not

    The prefix 'un-' means 'not.' For example, unhappy means not happy.

  2. A prefix is added to the END of a word.

    Show answer

    Answer: False

    A prefix is added to the BEGINNING of a word. A suffix is added to the end.

  3. In the word 'replay,' the root word is _______ and the prefix is re-.

    Show answer

    Answer: play

    In 'replay,' 're-' is the prefix (meaning again) and 'play' is the root word.

  4. What does the word 'joyful' mean?

    1. without joy
    2. full of joy
    3. before joy
    4. not joy
    Show answer

    Answer: full of joy

    The suffix '-ful' means 'full of,' so 'joyful' means full of joy.

  5. Knowing prefixes and suffixes can help you figure out the meaning of new words.

    Show answer

    Answer: True

    Recognizing prefixes and suffixes is a great strategy for unlocking the meaning of unfamiliar words.

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